Election strategy, a board game for two players, representing the race for the White House

ABSTRACT

Election Strategy is a board game for two players, representing the Race for the White House. It starts as a game of chance, due to the wagering system, which uses mixed dice, one Red and one Black. The Red is Minus and the Black is Plus, which allows the player that gets a Plus number to move one of his pieces forward or sideways, and forces the player who gets a Minus number to move one of his figures back. But the game is not solely influenced by chance, since each player may move any piece he wants after tossing the dice. The players represent two parties, the “R” Party and the “D” Party. Each party has four figures, as follows: (P) the Candidate for President, (V) the Candidate for Vice President, (C) the Campaign Manager, and (S) the Campaign Scout. The board measures 11 inches by 17 inches, divided into 1 sq.in. spaces. At the two ends of the board spaces are shown for Party Headquarters, Electoral College, and White House. The Field of Action is 165 square inches. The field of action can be a crowded space for eight competing figures that must abide by the Rules and Regulations, with their possible penalties. It is not easy to go forth and straight to the White House in front, if the opponent blocks the way, launches a damaging attack, plans, and plots. The game requires some strategy.

FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH: n/a SEQUENCE LISTING: n/a

[0001] 1. BACKGROUND—Field of Action

[0002] This is a new game of chance for two players on a board. It is innovative due to the wagering system which uses mixed dice. The pair of dice comprise one Red and one Black. The Black one represents Plus and the Red one is Minus. The symbols of Plus and Minus are used to move the figures on the board to advance or to go backwards.

[0003] 2. Background—Prior Art

[0004] All board games, Parcheesi, Monopoly, Checkers, Chess, must be considered Prior Art.

[0005] Prior Art has failed to show a game representing the electoral competition of the race for the White House.

[0006] Prior Art has failed to show a game with an electoral theme using mixed dice, one Red and one Black.

[0007] Prior Art has failed to show a board game with the characteristics of Election Strategy, which allows the participants to proceed forward or to go backwards,

OBJECT AND ADVANTAGES

[0008] Election Strategy is a game that requires planning for attack and defense. The players must choose wisely the pieces and the movements. With a Plus number a player can move any one of his pieces forward or sideways. With the red or Minus number the player is forced to move one of the figures back.

[0009] The players represent two parties competing to attain government. One is the “R” Party and the other the “D” Party. Each party has four figures: (P) the Candidate for President, (V) the Candidate for Vice President, (C) the Campaign Manager, and (S) the Campaign Scout.

[0010] The number of spaces to be moved, forth or back, are based on luck, but the player chooses the piece to be moved, and must use strategy to defeat his opponent.

SUMMARY

[0011] This is a game of chance due to the wagering system, but not completely, because the cunning of a player may prevail. Determining factors are the ability of a player in moving his figures, his successful blocking of the opponent, good attack plans, and resourceful defense tactics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

[0012] The following three pages describe in detail the elements comprising this game, the wagering system, the Rules and Regulations, the Penalties, etc.

[0013] Drawings of the Board are not submitted but herein described exactly: Measurements The Board - 11 in. by 17 in. = 187 sq. in. divided as follows 1-inch strip at each end showing Party Headquarters - 4 one-inch spaces Electoral College - 3 one-inch spaces White House - 4 one-inch spaces and Field of Action - 11 in. by 15 in. = 165 sq. in.

[0014] The miniatures used for the figures representing the candidates and officials must be heavy, thick and modern.

MIXED DICE WAGERING SYSTEM

[0015] One Big Black Dies or bone die with Black numbers.

[0016] One Big Red Die, or bone die with Red numbers.

[0017] The numbers in black are Plus.

[0018] The numbers in red are Minus. Red and Black Result Red and Black Result 6 1 −5 3 1 −2 6 2 −4 3 2 −1 6 3 −3 3 3 0 6 4 −2 3 4 +1 6 5 −1 3 5 +2 6 6 0 3 6 +3 5 1 −4 2 1 −1 5 2 −3 2 2 0 5 3 −2 2 3 +1 5 4 −1 2 4 +2 5 5 0 2 5 +3 5 6 +1 2 6 +4 4 1 −3 1 1 0 4 2 −2 1 2 +1 4 3 −1 1 3 +2 4 4 0 1 4 +3 4 5 +1 1 5 +4 4 6 +2 1 6 +5

[0019] Rules and Regulations of the Game (Page 1)

[0020] “Election Strategy, the Race for the White House”

[0021] Players —Two. One represents the “R” Party, and the other the “D” Party.

[0022] Components —Two large dice, one Black and one Red, to be used as the wagering system.

[0023] One Board size 11″ by 17″, divided into 1 square inch spaces, making a total of 187 sq.in. This board is sectioned as follows:

[0024] The Field of Action 11″ by 15″, with a total of 165 sq.in.

[0025] One Party Headquarters at each end of Board covering four one-inch spaces

[0026] One Electoral College at each end of Board covering three one-inch spaces

[0027] One White House at each end of the Board comprising four one-inch spaces

[0028] Four figures for each party:

[0029] (P) the Candidate for President

[0030] (V) the Candidate for Vice President

[0031] (C) the Campaign Manager

[0032] (S) the Campaign Scout

[0033] Rules and Regulations

[0034] The players place their figures in order in their Headquarters spaces to start the game. They toss the dice to see who begins.

[0035] Each player—in his turn—tosses the dice, and then decides which one of his figures he wants to move.

[0036] PLUS numbers allow the figures to be moved to the front or to one side

[0037] MINUS results force the figure chosen to move back

[0038] Rules and Regulations of the Game (Page 2)

[0039] To start, a player moves out of Headquarters whichever figure he prefers. (It is advisable from a strategic point of view to send out the S and C first, to try to block the opponent.)

[0040] To win the Election, a Party must enter the White House, all four figures, before his opponent. The figures must enter in this order: the President first, the Vice-President second, the Campaign Manager third, and the Campaign Scout last.

[0041] Limitations and Penalties

[0042] A figure can never jump over another figure, neither friend nor foe. If a figure is forced to move, and another figure is in the way, a hit occurs.

[0043] The hitter is penalized. He is sent back to his Electoral College, loses one turn to move, and must start at Headquarters again. The Vice President of his Party is also penalized, he must recede one space.

[0044] Since all dice results must be exactly adhered to, if a player is forced to move a piece and the move proves detrimental, he must accept the consequences. If the figure is too close to the edge of the board, or near an impending blockade, the player has to move it in a direction that leads to safety. To avoid hitting an opponent, it is better that a piece be moved losing ground, to one side or the other.

[0045] Extraordinary Dice Results

[0046] 5 Plus—the player moves one of his figures five spaces to the front or to the side, and his President one space forward.

[0047] 5 Minus—the player moves one of his figures back five spaces and his President back one space.

[0048] No adjustments are allowed either party to alleviate difficulty in trying to enter the White House. Moves must conform exactly to numbers tossed.

[0049] Conclusions, Ramifications and Scope

[0050] Election Strategy is a Board Game for teenagers and adult alike. It situations at times that require thinking. Since the number of spaces to be moved are determined by dice, it starts as a game of chance, but planning and plotting can be determining factors to win.

[0051] The ramifications of this game are many to be studied. At present electronic video games dominate the teenager market. All computer-wise persons play games via the internet. The possibility exists that Election Strategy may be adapted to such a medium.

[0052] The scope may be huge depending on the following that the game has among players who enjoy competition, because it could lead to an established championship event. 

I claim
 1. A board game for two persons, entitled Election Strategy, representing the electoral race for the White House, comprising a board measuring 11 inches by 17 inches, divided into 1 sq.in. spaces, making a total of 187 sq.in. subdivided as follows: 165 sq.in.—the Field of Action 4 spaces at each end—Party Headquarters 3 spaces at each end—Electoral College 4 spaces at each end—the White House Eight Figures, four for each Party: (P) the Candidate for President (V) the Candidate for Vice President (C) the Campaign Manager (S) the Campaign Scout the wagering system, consisting of two large dice, one Black representing Plus and one Red representing Minus. the dice may be bone with black and red numbers. Rules and Regulations governing the game.
 2. As to claim 1 above, the total concept, the wagering system used, the figures used, and the rules and regulations.
 3. The possibility of any changes being made to the original concept.
 4. Any phases developed from this original invention.
 5. The possible adaptation of Election Strategy to another medium, electronic video, computer games, or other.
 6. The possible establishment of a competitive championship based on this invention. 